Jesus Heals a Servant's Ear

After The Last Supper Jesus shared with His friends, He led them to the Mount of Olives where He knelt and prayed. He asked the Father if he could be spared the cross, but then He said, "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). Drops of sweat as thick as blood fell to the ground. He found the disciples asleep a few feet away in the Garden of Gethsemene. His heart was breaking. He heard the chief priests and Roman soldiers coming to arrest Him.

Peter drew his sword and cut of a servant's ear. Jesus said, "No more of this!" (Luke 22:51) and He healed the man's ear.

Think About It
Jesus was sad knowing this was the last time He would be with His friends. He knew they didn't understand what was happening. He taught in the temple day in and day out. Yet, no one harmed him. This night, however, the priests and soldiers came with swords to arrest Him. Even when Jesus' heart was aching, He reached out and healed the servant's ear.

Pray About It
Lord Jesus, help us when we are sad to know that it's not about us, but about you. Help us to reach out as you did, and show compassion. Amen.

Are You the Real Deal?

Did you know our world is dying for love? Do you have friends who do not know the love of God? Jesus met a Samaritan woman from Sychar at a well. He was tired from traveling, and the disciples went into town to get food.

He began to talk with the woman by asking her for water. She asked him important life questions and He offered her living water, which means the love of God, which flows from  His throne and through His followers by the power of His Holy Spirit. The things Jesus said seemed strange to the woman, but Jesus let her know He knew all about her and still He showed love to her.

She ran to the city and told others about Jesus and the love she felt. They came to see Him for themselves and they too experienced His love. This story, found in John 4, demonstrates four qualities of God's love:

Experience - God's love knows.

Example     - God's love shows.

Expands     - God's love grows.

Expresses   - God's love flows.

Think About It
Jesus showed us how to be the real deal by loving an unlovely woman. She didn't come to the well in the morning as other women did. She was an outcast and came in the heat of the day. People didn't care for her, but Jesus did. There are unlovely people in our world. Discuss with your parents or teachers how you might show love this week, how you can be real, like Jesus.

Pray About It
O Lord, help me to love like Jesus so people will come to realize how much you love them. In Jesus' name, Amen.